~ New Music Monday ~ December 12th, 2016 ~ Grammy Noms 2017 ~

Last week the Recording Academy announced their 2017 Grammy nominations. Per usual, there are some surprises, some expected, and some WTF??!! Leading the pack this year is none other than Queen Bey, Beyoncé with what I think is 9 noms. Also, representing particularly strong this year is the country music genre. Whether you agree or disagree with the actual nominee's I think it is UHHHMAAAYYYZZZINNNGGG that country is repping so strong at an all genre awards show.

Below is the list of noms and my ideals on winners in the categories I actually listen to. I didn't comment on categories I know nothing about. You're welcome. I look forward to watching in February to see how close I am. I feel like I should maybe start betting on these awards shows. Performers have not been announced yet so, look for that #NewMusicMonday post in 2017.

Record Of The Year ~
Hello - Adele - I think that to expect anyone other than Adele to Win this One is Delusional.
Formation - Beyoncé
7 Years - Lukas Graham
Work - Rihanna featuring Drake
Stressed Out - 21 Pilots

Album of the Year ~
25 - Adele
Lemonade - Beyoncé
Purpose - Justin Bieber
Views - Drake
A Sailor's Guide to Earth - Sturgill Simpson

This is a solid category, I mean, if you ignore the Justin Bieber nod. I LOVE that Sturgill Simpson is on this list. You can check #NewMusicMonday #PastPosts to listen to some of the songs from his latest and nominated, "A Sailor's Guide to Earth". I would love to say that because he is the underdog he has a solid chance of winning, but with Adele and Beyoncé as competitors I really do not know. Also, this nomination further shows the distance between radio, artists, fans, and the industry.

Song of the Year ~
Formation - Beyoncé
Hello - Adele
I Took a Pill in Ibiza - Mike Posner
Love Yourself - Beiber
7 Years - Lukas Graham

I read that Beyoncé pushed the release of "Lemonade" out of respect to Adele's "25". I'm unsure if this is some unspoken musical heavy weight rule or if it is just how Queen Bey rules. Either way, I like this idea and the kind of unspoken respect that it allures to. Adele killed nearly every record and chart with the release of "Hello". I really think she is going to be difficult to beat, even for Queen Bey.

Best New Artist  ~
Kelsea Ballerini
The Chainsmokers
Chance the Rapper
Maren Morris
Anderson Paak

Can I just say that I LOVEEEEE that this category has TWO, New, Country genre, females representing. I see none of the male crooners that seem to saturate the waves represented here and no disrespect, but I seriously love it!!!! GIRL POWER!!!! I think that both Kelsea and Maren are solid competition in this category, but Kelsea has a bit more notoriety in the pop community given her connections to T. Swift. She has also collaborated with several other pop artists such as Nick Jonas. Maren won this category last month at the CMA's so, who knows??!! By the time the Grammy's air she will have performed on Saturday Night Live, finished as opener on Keith Urbans American leg of the Ripcord tour and begun her own headlining tour. I would like to see Maren win, but I would be alright with Kelsea winning as well.

Best Pop Solo Performance ~
Hello - Adele
Hold Up - Beyoncé
Love Yourself - Bieber
Piece By Piece - Kelly Clarkson as Performed on AI
Dangerous Woman - Ariana Grande

Again, I think Adele is nearly impossible to beat even with Beyoncé as her competition.

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance ~
Closer - The Chainsmokers Feat. Halsey
7 Years - Lukas Graham
Work - Rhiana feat. Drake
Cheap Thrills - Sia Feat. Sean Paul
Stressed Out - 21 Pilots

Closer is basically EVERYWHERE!!!! Everyone is covering it. The radio doesn't stop playing it. I think it's a obvious winner.

Best Pop Vocal Album ~
25 - Adele
Purpose - Bieber
Dangerous Woman - Ariana Grande
Confident - Demi Lovato
This is Acting - Sia

Best Rock Performance ~
Joe (Live from Austin City Limits) - Alabama Shakes
Don't Hurt Yourself - Beyoncé feat. Jack White
Blackstar - David Bowie
The Sound of Silence (Live on Conan) - Disturbed
Heathens - 21 Pilots

I LOVE Jack White so, I would kind of like for him and B to win, but I also adore "Heathens". I'm torn. I'm unsure either of my preferences matter seeing as Bowie is in this category. Often when a star passes they win sorda as a last respects kind of thing. Besides it's Bowie, he is real competition no matter the category.

Best Country Solo Performance ~
Love Can Go to Hell - Brandy Clark
Vice - Miranda Lambert
My Church - Maren Morris
Church Bells - Carrie Underwood
Blue Ain't Your Color - Keith Urban

I am GIDDY that this category is dominated by females!!! Take that country boys club!! No disrespect to Keith. He is always a promoter of female country artists, but I just adore that he is the only male in this category. I also LOVE that Brandy Clark, another radio absent, Country Award Show MIA artist, and here she sits, for the SECOND time, Grammy nominated. I think if any of these folks win I will be alright with it, but I fear that simply out of pop culture, Miranda or Carrie may win. I don't mind their winning. They both have put out great singles in 2016, but I hate the thought that they might win simply due to exposure in the over all music community. Brandy and Maren, at this point, are more known to just their genre.

Best Country Duo/Group Performance ~
Different for Girls - Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
21 Summer - Brothers Osborne
Setting the World on Fire - Kenny Chesney & Pink
Jolene - Pentatonix Feat. Dolly Parton
Think of You - Chris Young Feat. Cassadee Pope

Again, my fear is that due simply to exposure, that Kenny and Pink will win this category. I like the song. It isn't my favorite. I like both artists, but the collab just feels like an attention getter for me. It was added to the album late which pushed back it's release date getting it even more attention. Then it was the second single released from Chesney's newest album, "Noise". My heart would like to see Brothers Osborne win, but I think that considering their chart success Chris Young and Cassadee Pope have a stellar chance. This all assuming that notoriety doesn't choose the winner.

Best Country Song ~
Blue Aint Your Color
Die A Happy Man
Humble and Kind
My Church
Vice

Die A Happy Man, by Thomas Rett has taken country genre award shows so, it is possible it could take a all genre show like the Grammy's. Humble and Kind won at the CMA's so ya never know, Lori McKenna and Tim McGraw could take it here as well. Again, for the one thousandth time I point back to the idea of non genre specific popularity making Keith, Miranda and Carrie top contenders. I would pass right out if Maren, who in this category would be considered an underdog, won this. "My Church" has swept air waves and folks that didn't consider themselves country music fans prior to it are now tuning into country because of it. We shall see.

Best Country Album ~
Big Day in a Small Town - Brandy Clark
Full Circle - Loretta Lynn
Hero - Maren Morris
A Sailor's Guide to Earth - Sturgill Simpson
Ripcord - Keith Urban'

I REPEAT!!!! I LOVE THAT BRANDY CLARK AND STURGILL SIMPSON are in this category. AGAIN I say, this just goes to show that radio air play and country genre specific awards shows, do not have any play or prediction powers when it comes to the music community over all. This is Brandy's second year of being nominated for her own work and I think it'd be great if she won. I adore Loretta and she for sure would deserve the award. If Sturgill won this would be a big ol' middle finger to many in the country community who have shunned him or turned their noses up. He is not "new" country, but he isn't exactly "traditional" either. With influences like the Hag and covering tunes by Nirvana he is going to be a difficult one to pigeon hole. He is currently on a sold out headlining tour and I will be anxious to see if he even appears at the actual ceremony. I can see him staying on the road or at home. Again, we shall see. Also, as I said earlier, by the time for voting comes around Maren will have appeared on Saturday Night Live and will be out on her own headlining tour. Both of those things could shift her in popular public opinion.

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song ~
Trust in You - Lauren Daigle
Priceless - For King & Country
King of the World - Natalie Grant
Thy Will - Hillary Scott & The Scott Family
Chain Breaker - Zach Williams

I think that Hillary Scott and The Scott Family are going to win both categories that they are nominated in. "Thy Will", is an amazing song and it has taken the Lady Antebellum vocalist into a new genre along with her family. Daughter of Linda Davis who famously sang with Reba on "Does He Love You" in the country genre. Linda has been singing gospel/Christian music for years so I can see this familial collaboration getting them a win.

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media ~
Amy - Various Artist
Miles Ahead - Miles Davis & Various Artists
Straight Outta Compton - Various Artists
Suicide Squad (Collector's Edition) - Various Artists
Vinyl: The Essentials Season 1 - Various Artists

Movie soundtrack, I have loved the Suicide Squad soundtrack from the first note. I think it is a solid compellation and holds it own against bio pic sound tracks like Amy and Miles.

Best Song Written for Visual Media ~
Can't Stop the Feeling fr Trolls

Heathens fr Suicide Squad
Just Like Fire fr Alice Through the Looking Glass
Purple Lamborghini fr Suicide Squad
Try Everything - Zootopia
The Veil - Snowden

Single from a movie, Justin Timberlakes "Can't Stop the Felling" from Trolls was kind of a Summer hit from the get. It's up beat. It's this Summer's version of Pharrell Williams, "Happy". But again, I point back to Suicide Squad's, "Heathens". I LOVE IT!!! Perhaps because all my friends are heathens??!!! LOL!! Just kidding....sorda.

For a Full List of 2017 Nominee's click HERE.

To See if I Should Become an Awards Show Gambler Follow Me on Facebook on February 12th, 2017 for Play by Play on the 59th Annual Grammy's Ceremony. Yes, most people do live streams via Twitter, but I can only pretend to care about so many things at one time and I chose Instagram, Facebook and m'blog!!! I'm sure you understand.

~ Insta Blog ~ Motivation Monday ~ December 5th, 2016 ~ Sparkly Aunt Stacie ~

One of My Most Favorite Nick Names, and I Have a Few, is "Aunt Stacie". I'm So Grateful the Lord Sent Me the Friends He Has. Grateful That They Allow Me to be Aunt Stacie to Their Littles. I Genuinely Love Each One of Them & How Different They All Are From One Another. I Find Myself Praying for Them Often and Am So Proud When I See their Little Individuality. We are at a Place Now Where They Are Becoming these Little Adults. It's Amazing to Me to Watch Them Grow, Learn, and Decide Who They Wanna Be. Seeing This in My Mail The Other Morning Totally Made My Day. I, Out Loud, Said "Yeah!!!" When Pulling it Out of The Mail Box and Seeing it Addressed to Aunt Stacie, Lol!!!

Growing Up I Often Wished/Prayed for Siblings, but That Wasn't the Lords Plans. Not at Least in the Way One Might Think. He Has Given Me More "Siblings" Than I Ever Dreamed by Way of Friendships. That's One of the Many, Amazing, Wonderful Things About Our Savior, He ALWAYS Hears Our Prayers and While it May Take Time and They May Not Get Answered Exactly as You Imagined, He Does ALWAYS Answer Our Prayers.

Happy Motivation Monday Loves!!! Keep Your Eyes, Mind and Heart Opened to the Varied Ways in Which the Lord May be Answering Your Prayers. Also, There is Good News and Their is Bad News.

Good News: My Glitter Stash has Been Properly Restocked Thanks to One of My Most Favorite Tribes, #TheSalyers.

Bad News: My Glitter Stash has Been Properly Restocked. Consider Yourself Warned, Lol!!!

Thank You Salyers' For Thinking of Me & Accepting/Fueling My Love of Sparkle!!!

~ Insta Blog ~ December 7th, 2016 ~ Starting Over ~

 

~ Family Property in Tennessee ~

~ And Just Like That, The Leaves Had All Fallen, to Remind Us What Starting Over Looks Like. ~

~ Even Jack Davis gets a little pensive once the leaves have all fallen. ~

 



 

~ Insta Blog ~ December 9th, 2016 ~ All That I Am ~

Pinterest

~ New Music Monday ~ December 5th, 2016 ~ "Home Sweet Home to Me" ~

Tennessee Vols Fight Song

I've started this post at least a dozen different times in my head. Even now, I have stared at that first sentence for a solid ten minutes. There is so much on my heart and mind after these last few weeks. Well, actually after this entire year. Has the world always been this grey or is it my age showing that I am more aware? Bus accidents, shootings, bombings, flight high jacking's,  kamikaze drivers in Paris, tornado's, earth quakes, & wild fires. It feels like the list is never ending. This #NewMusicMonday is gonna be different than past posts. I plan on sharing some Tennessee specific tunes with you as well as a few stories that I've read/heard over the last few days. I think that music is powerful. It can heal, encourage, and uplift. Music is our prayer when words have escaped us. It soundtracks our memories and lulls our babies to sleep. I can think of no better way to celebrate my home state of Tennessee than by sharing a few Tennessee tunes in this weeks #NewMusicMonday. Before you say anything, yes, these tunes may have a little dust on them, but they still are some of my favorites and always come to mind when thinking about the Volunteer state.

In the last two weeks there has been a bus accident in Chattanooga that claimed several young lives and leaving so many others wounded. There was a tornado near Athens that demolished homes, churches, schools and businesses. Monday there was a wild fire in Sevierville that as of last reports has taken at least 13 lives, destroyed several hundred businesses/buildings/homes, forcing somewhere in the 15,000+ to evacuate, and leaving people not only with out their family, a home, or any of their possessions, but also unemployed all in one night. There has been video's shared of people trying to escape the mountain that will give you nightmares for weeks. I have read more than one story on people who perished in the fire because they couldn't get out in time. A mother and her two daughters, a reverend, a family in the Smokie's on vacation that lost both parents and leaving the three sons in the hospital in different levels of ICU, and locals that called Gatlinburg home. I'm not sure any "category" of people was left untouched. My mind cannot begin to fathom what some may have felt that night as they had to make the choice to try and leave or have no choice in being forced to stay. I am sure we will be hearing some of these stories as folks get back to their properties and begin assessing what happened to their specific spaces. The Mayor lost his home and his business yet he was out with the people of his city mourning, hearing their stories and just letting them see him and know he is there for them. I heard it said by Governor Haslam in a radio press conference on Friday that the city Mayor had shared with him that his first priority was the people of the city, behind that his personal loss. I find that amazing, encouraging and inspiring. That is leadership at its finest.

Fires, tornado's, loss of possessions, homes, cars, jobs, pets, and the death family/friends. We live in a 24 hour news cycle that is unavoidable so, these stories are nearly unavoidable. You can go to bed at 10 p.m. with up to the moment information and wake at 3 a.m. check the internet and find even newer information. It's kind of overwhelming the speed in which some information is flowing and yet, some are still searching for their loved ones or details on their property with no word. All of these events are traumatic and heavy enough all on their own, but combined together and adding in the holiday season, it feels so much heavier. While 13 is too many to have lost in this wild fire, I am grateful that it was only 13. Considering an evacuation of that magnitude and it really is a miracle that the death toll isn't in the thousands. I'm grateful that businesses have already mentioned rebuilding and reopening. I am grateful that the Mayor has set a goal to reopen downtown Gatlinburg potentially this week. I am grateful that so many have the ability to look forward after this horrific event.

Amy Grant - "Tender Tennessee Christmas"

I know this is a waaaaaaaayyyyyyy back cut of this song, but I felt

we could all use a little nostalgia..

All of this planning, mourning, looking forward, healing and you know what I have not heard??!! Not one report of looting. Not a single shot fired at an officer of the law, EMS crews, Fire Fighters or any other officials out in the thick of it. No one has reported of anyone being shot, simply for doing their job, i.e. a officer of the law, fire fighter, or nurse, doing those jobs in the midst of what I can only imagine Armageddon might look like. I've seen no protests blocking road ways because someone unexpectedly and traumatically lost a loved one. No signs with angry words blaming management because an entire business is burned to the ground and it's staff is now unemployed. No blaming. No hating. No violence. I've heard story after story of people going the extra mile to not just save themselves, but anyone else around them that they could. Emergency crews going on foot to area's that the trucks couldn't make it to in order to lead folks to safety. Just yesterday I read of one group of fire men who had walked to a set of cars that had gotten trapped by the fires and down tree's. Their trucks couldn't make it up so they got out and walked. They knew from dispatch that there were people in the cars and that they had to be saved. The people in the cars remained on the phone with 911 dispatch stating that they "knew" this was it for them. They had all confidence that these were their last moments on Earth. Then in the smoke that I can only assume was as thick as potato soup, they see the flash lights heading their way and the reflective gear signaling to them that help was indeed with in arms reach. They began yelling to dispatch, "We see you!! We see your light!!". These fire fighters got out of their trucks and walked to the cars. They got the senior citizens out of their cars, even carrying their pets for them so that they could better handle the walk back to safety. How? How I ask you does anyone read/hear/see these stories and not have a feeling that swells from deep in side them with Tennessee pride??!!! With just freakin' pride in humanity!! There is so much in the news about people abandoning children, shooting parents, stealing from friends, if we linger on it too much it would be so easy to think that is a proper depiction of the world we are living in and the people we are living with. But I read stories like the one I shared a few sentences back and I am reassured that humanity is not all lost.

Speaking of Tennessee pride, Tennessee's own Dolly Parton has already committed to helping the families that lost everything. She not only is donating funds from her companies, but has created a "My People" fund so that others can donate to help these folks out. She is preparing a telethon as well with all proceeds' reportedly going to the people who survived the fire. Dolly has always been a proud Tennessean, very vocal about where she grew up and her love for the Smokey mountains. She has always been one of my hero's, but this just kinda propels her to that unreachable status that no one else will ever reach on my list of hero's. She is a Tennessee girl. She is from the mountains that burned for hours this week. A friend and I were texting about the awesomeness that is Dolly. You see some folks gain success and fame and their home towns never see them again. Not Dolly. She knows where she is from and she will always represent her home state proudly.

With the bus crash that happened about two weeks ago in Chattanooga I have heard stories of locals taking children to the hospital in their own personal cars because there were so many that needed transport. I heard that nearly 800 family members and loved ones waited in the hospital lobby while school staff helped to identify the smaller children who couldn't give important information like their address, phone number, parents first name, beyond, "Mom" or "Dad". They also had an impossible task of identifying those that had passed so that their families could be brought in to confirm identity.

 

Dolly Parton - "My Tennessee Mountain Home"

I know that everyone handles loss and tragedy differently. Some people are their best in a emergency situation while others fall completely apart. I know that not everyone expresses their emotions in the healthiest of ways. I know these things. I also know that loss is hard no matter how it happens. I know I haven't walked a mile in most people's shoes, but I can't help, but have to ask the question, "When faced with tragedy, why, WHY, doesn't the entire country react in the way Tennesseans have?". I know there are still many stories to be told from all the tragedy that has occurred. I'm sure as folks begin to recover and even look back, there will be some stories that include missteps. But, in the face of tragedy, unexplainable fear, loss that most of us are never going to be able to imagine, people have made the choice to come together and help distribute the weight of this load. Fire fighters from other counties came to Sevierville to aid in the fire fighting, rescuing, and basically anything else that has needed to be done. Volunteers from all over have been helping with clean up, checking on displaced animals, handing out water, etc. One of the outlet malls in Sevierville has announced that they are donating $50,000 in gift cards to the families devastated by the fire. My point in comparing traumatic events? Simply this, offering a helping hand, asking, "how can I help you through this?", seems to be proving much more fruitful than responding with hate and violence. Maybe I am just that naïve?!

Picture Circulating Social Media

Original Source Currently Unknown

by The Faith Journals

The Osborne Brothers (not to be confused w Brothers Osborne)

"Rocky Top"

 

After all of this, I know that it is going to take everyone time to recover. The loss is unimaginable. The rebuilding of the tourist town is going to take time. The choices people have to make in rebuilding or leaving and starting over has to be so painful. The families and teachers of the children from the bus accident have to say good-bye far sooner than ever anticipated aren't going to fall back into routine quickly or easily. There will also be aftermath. For the bus accident their will possibly be a trial for the driver. Punishment handed down to him to somewhat pay for his reported careless actions. As investigators make their way through out Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge their may end up being a person(s) who caused the wild fire. If so, there will be punishment and I have no clue how there would be anything less that a dozen or so charges placed on the arsonist, if such exists. The bus accident scene may be cleaned up now and the fires may have went out, but the dealings of these losses is far from over.

 

My prayer is that Tennessee would be an example to the rest of the U.S. on how to handle pain, trauma, loss, and devastation. That other cities, counties and states would see the team mentality of the fire fighters, for example, who traveled from other cities to help fight this fire. I pray that other people who are still reeling from a tragedy or a loss are inspired by what they hear/read/see of Tennesseans in this aftermath.

 

I LOVE my home state. I have had the opportunity to travel to some different places and while they each have had their varied allures, nothing ever feels as good as home. I have ALWAYS been proud to be a Tennessee Volunteer, but never more so than NOW!! My prayers are with everyone from the bus crash, tornados and wild fires. I hope these tunes encourage and remind you today that it is great to be a Tennessee Vol!!!

~ Insta Blog ~ December 2nd, 2016 ~ Christmas Decorations Gained Over Time ~

 

 



Sometimes Holiday Decor is About Resourcefulness, Reusing, & Just Being OK W/ Things Not Always Looking Like A Pinterest Pic or the Pic You Had in Your Mind. Some of These Decorations Are Gifts fr Christmas Past. The Nativity, As I Shared Before, was Made by Two of My Besties & Was A Gift. The Teddy Bear Wreath is Sixteen Years Old!!! My First Off Campus Roomie & I Got it to Go On Our First Off Campus Apartment Door. The Snow Man Door Hanger is from Last Year & the @dollargeneral. I Think it Cost $4.00.  The Door Mat is fr @biglots & is Heavy Enough to Hopefully Stay in its Place. It Isn't Unusual for My Neighbors to See Me Chasing Down My Door Mats b/c of Wind. Lol!!! The Ribbons on the Porch are fr the #DollarTree. I Would Love to Put a Little Tree on Either Side of the Front Door, but That Will Just Have to Wait for Another Christmas.

My Point? Not Everything Has to Happen All @ Once. I Love that I Still Have that First Off Campus Apartment Wreath fr Sixteen Years Ago!!! I Love That w $2 I Can Make My Porch Look Like its Held Up by Candy Canes. Take Your Time. Enjoy the Building of Memories that Comes w Making, Purchasing, Reusing & Receiving Decor Throughout Your Journey. I Can Promise You'll Get More fr it All Through the Years Than if You Had Purchased it All at Once.

~ New Music Monday ~ Writers Wednesday ~ Mark Lowry ~ November 30th, 2016 ~

This week #WritersWednesday got away from me as I was working on Christmas cards. I love sending and getting Christmas cards so, I tend to take my time in writing in, addressing them, and really just making a day of it. We've been praying for rain and yesterday the Heavens opened up. It was the perfect day for my Christmas card project. Between the peppermint coffee, twinkly lights from my Christmas tree and the sweet sound of rain I was in pure BLISS!!!! All that to say, this months Writers Wednesday got pushed. So it is technical Writers Wednesday....on Thursday, this go 'round.

It is officially Christmas season. People are putting up their tree's, cyber Monday shopping, baking, and all of those other fun to-do's that come with the holiday season. I find it only appropriate that this months #WritersWednesday focus on a writer of a Christmas song. The is one of my very FAVORITE Christmas song EVER!!! From the moment I heard it, years and years ago, it hit me in a way that other Christmas songs do not.

Pentatonix - "Mary Did You Know?"

 

 

"Mary Did You Know", sends chills down my spine nearly every time I hear it. Last year or perhaps it's been several years ago, the acappella super group, Pentatonix gave a rendition of the tune that I think is one of the best out there. Nearly everyone who has done a Christmas album, concert or performed for a Christmas special have performed "Mary Did You Know?". Some people know and others might not that "Mary Did You Know" was written by Christian comedian and Gaither Vocal Band Member, Mark Lowry. Originally recorded by Christian music artist, Michael English in 1996 "Mary..." landed at number 6 on the Christian music charts. It has sense been recorded several times by Mr. Lowry himself, the Gaither Vocal Band, country artist Wynonna and Kenny Rogers sang it as a duet, Brett Eldridge most recently recorded it for the CD, "Nashville Christmas", Cee Lo and so many more the list would take days. The desire that so many have had to record it only confirms to me that I am not the only one who has felt something spiritual when hearing the songs lyrics.

 

Mark Lowry - "Mary Did You Know?"

Live in Henderson, TN

 

 "Mary Did You Know", Lyrics ~
 

[Verse 1]Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would someday walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Would save our sons and daughters?

[Verse 2]Did you know that your baby boy
Has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered
Will soon deliver you
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?

[Verse 3]Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
Will calm a storm with his hand?

[Verse 4]Did you know that your baby boy
Has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby
You have kissed the face of God
Mary, did you know?

[Verse 5]The blind will see, the deaf will hear
The dead will live again
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak
The praises of the Lamb

[Verse 6]
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy
Will one day rule the nations?

[Verse 7]
Did you know that your baby boy
Is heaven's perfect Lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding
Is the great I am
Mary, did you know?

I'm a visual person. I put things together by looking at the picture not reading the instructions. I hear a song and immediately begin thinking of what the video might look like. The imagery I get when going over the lyrics of this song often brings me to tears. I try to imagine how Mary must have felt in the long nine months in which she carried our Savior. There had to be times of loneliness, insecurity, doubt, and anxiety. I mean, who was she that people would believe she was spoken to by an angel or that she would be chosen to carry the Messiah??!! I'm sure she asked herself those same questions. I think about Joseph and the faith he had to have to stay with Mary and to defender her when people questioned her virtue, vision, and pregnancy. You know folks where talking. This is the kind of thing gossip magazines are made for these days, but back then I'm sure it was all whispers in the street and side glances. It couldn't have been easy for Mary and Joseph's families either.

I think the lyrics to "Mary...." is a perfect example of the conversation so many have wanted to have with her. It's filled with questions that I bet she will be asked 100 times when we all get to Heaven. The power of the lyrics of this song is almost overwhelming for me. I was running errands a few days ago listening to my "Nashville Christmas" CD when Brett Eldridge's version of the tune came on. It had been cloudy and the sun was peaking through the clouds like beautiful spot lights. It is that somewhat typical picture that one might imagine when thinking of Heaven. White fluffy clouds that we walk on with lights of gold beaming through to the world below. I got caught up in the lyrics of the song, Brett's amazing delivery of it, and that sight of the light beaming through the clouds and I got tears in my eyes. I can't even help it. I somehow have become a crier. I thanked the Lord for the reminder via that sight, via that song and stopped holding up traffic and went about my way.

Mark Lowry will always be known for a great many things. His humor, the way he communicates with such large crowds and yet still makes every person feel like he is speaking to only them. When listening to Lowry's comedy I often find myself wondering how he gets away with some of it. But always being grateful that he can because it is almost always right on point. LOL!! "Mary Did You Know", is consider one of the top 100 Christmas songs of all time. I think it is a honor that it will not soon lose. Along with Mark's academic, professional and ministry achievements I know that his name will always be associated with "Mary....". I would think he has to be proud of this. And if he isn't I know that his Mother was!!

I am an Alumni from Mr. Lowry's alma mater, his mother, Bev Lowry was a professor and frequent guest vocalist for convocation services. As the coordinator for some of these services I had the opportunity to speak with Mrs. Lowry on multiple occasions. She was a hoot and half and oh so proud of her family. As certain as I was that this tune would be sung every Christmas season either at chapel or church I was equally as certain that we would hear Mrs. Lowry share that her son wrote it. It was as expected as twinkly lights and Christmas cookies. But it is something I actually look back on with affection. I like the traditions or habits we form for times like holidays. For a long time hearing this song sung by a Lowry and hearing the story of it's being written was one of mine. Actually, it still is. Just has a different vocalist on it now a days.

 

I know some people are tired of it. Some people have never even heard it yet. Others, like myself, have it on the list of things they look forward to during the Christmas season. Wherever you may fall on the performances of "Mary Did You Know" I would hope that you take the time to read the lyrics this Christmas season and spend a little time in meditation about Mary, Joseph, their families, and of course our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

One of my favorite verses is, "Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you've delivered, Will soon deliver you. Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?". Again, I go back to what Mary had to have had going through her mind for those nine months. I can't even begin to grasp it all. I however am forever grateful for her obedience, faith, and the risk she took in following the calling of the Lord on her life. There is no way the years leading up to her engagement to Joseph and then with her pregnancy with Jesus that she could have known what the Lord might use her for. Amazing how one persons obedience can change so many other peoples lives. What a challenging thought.

 



Kathy Mattea - "Mary Did You Know"

 

Lord ~ Thank you for allowing Mary the strength, peace, grace and wisdom needed to follow after Your callings on her life. Thank you for allowing Joseph the strength, peace, wisdom and faith to stand beside her on what would end up being the purpose of their lives. So heavy!!! Thank You Lord for this song that we can be reminded of all You have done, of what You can do, and what it means to follow after the callings You place on each of our lives. Thank You for Your Son, the ultimate gift of the Christmas season.